QuestionQUESTION: I am designing a ring that will have 2 bands of silver and one thin band of white gold in the center. I am planning to oxidize the silver band portions of the ring with liver of sulfur to a black color. What I don't know is how the white gold will react to or be damaged by the liver of sulfur. Do you know if it will do anything to the white gold, and if so, will it be permanent or something I can polish off?
thanks,
Travis
ANSWER: Travis, thanks for the question.
I appreciate questions from jewelry craftsmen being creative in this field and do wish you the best in your work.
The liver of sulfur should not affect the white gold at all. If it did, a simple polishing would remove any residue and with no damage. You should be able to apply the liver of sulfur and see the darkening on the silver and nothing happening with the white gold.
Just for interest, this is how I generally have used liver of sulfur, beginning with the dry form and not premixed. In a Pyrex or other suitable non-metallic container, heat just enough water to cover the item. The water does not need to reach a boil at all but should be steamy hot to properly dissolve the liver of sulfur. Heat the water before putting adding the liver of sulfur. Put a small piece of the chemical in the hot water and swish around to dissolve. You will see the water becoming a brownish yellow from the dissolving liver of sulfur. This method means making fresh solution with each use and disposal of the solution when all the patination work is done. Very little dry chemical is needed and you may add as desired, watching the color of the solution to judge strength.
I prefer to use a fairly light solution and allow the silver to more slowly develop the patina. In my experience, a too strong solution may create a dark but weak patina which will often be uneven. Be certain solder lines are clean to prevent uneven patina along joints. Be certain the item is totally clean and free of any fingerprints, etc., which may affect the uniformity of the patina.
Put the item in the solution and watch the patina develop. Remove when desired and rinse well.
Alternately, a brush or cotton swab may be used to apply solution to the item in a painting fashion.
Thanks a bunch for the question. Please rate the answer if you will.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response! After reading your description of using liver of sulfur I have another question.
I've seen different types of liver of sulfur (liquid, gel, dry form) and I am wondering what differences these might have when darkening the silver. In particular I am looking for the extremely dark "black/blue" color and would prefer to use the form that will give me this effect.
thanks again!
AnswerTravis, I have not used the gel but assume brush on and placement control are selling points. Personally, I prefer to use dry and make my mix fresh. Shelf life of some liver of sulfuf products is not great but if kept sealed and dry, the dry chemical will last a long time. Liquid is to be used and reused and I was not happy with shelf life many years ago..haven't used it since preferring to mix my own and that is quite simple.
As for getting the utmost dark patina, all should do it and go as dark as possible as liver of sulfur will go. To me the secret to a good job is how quickly the chemical acts and I believe(as mentioned in the first reply)that superior results come from a slow process in a milder solution than from a sudden blackening in an overly strong solution. Go slowly and watch the progress. Remove and rinse, pat dry, look at it, put back for a darker patina as needed. You can add a pinch more chemical if the results are not what you want. Keep in mind that heat speeds the process. A little heat is a good thing. The real control comes in the strength of the solution and keeping an eye on the oxidation as it develops.
Again, to reemphasize, make sure the ring is totally clean prior to oxidation. The last result you want is a spotty patina. In that case, it is often best to buff it off and redo rather than trying to "fill in" the oxidation.
There are products made to oxidize gold, one called Black Max. It does ok on gold but this particular chemical does not do well with silver because it acts too quickly and may flake. Also, ultrasonic will often remove the black while that from liver of sulfur is more durable.
Go for it and let me know how your ring turns out. God Bless. Thomas.
